Dear Friends,

I want to take a minute of your time and inform you about the COVID-19 virus and how it will be affecting my dental practice.

First of all, this is not the first contagious illness that has circulated in our country nor will it be the last. In my 20+ years of practicing, I have dealt firsthand with the threats from HIV/AIDS, swine flu, H1N1, MERS, SARS and of course every year’s cold and flu season. Current recommendations by a former professor of pathology, at the University of California San Diego, are NO HANDSHAKING, USE only YOUR knuckle to touch light switches, elevator buttons, etc, lift gasoline dispenser or open doors with paper towel, or use disposable gloves. Use disinfecting wipes at the stores when they are available. Wash your hands with soap for 10-20 seconds and/or use a greater than 60% alcohol based sanitizer. Cough or sneeze into a disposable tissue, or use the inside of your elbow to stop the spread of contagious virus.

At my office, we have always followed CDC guidelines of “universal precautions” and continue those practices daily. Almost nowhere in the USA can you guarantee protection from the virus, but we will do everything reasonably possible to ensure the safest environment for your dental care. We will continue our standard protocol of our sterilization processes, and disinfecting our treatment rooms after every patient. We have received many compliments over the years of having a clean and hygienic office, and this has always been a priority for me and my dental team. We clean the reception area multiple times a day, and will continue to do so. Additionally, we will be wiping doors, door handles, railings, etc. with sanitizing and disinfecting wipes, this will be added as our ‘standard of care.’

I personally want you to know that you are safe to receive your dental care. My team is safe to work here. We are operating as business as usual, as quite honestly, the threat of the COVID-19 virus is no different than the threats we have received daily from other illnesses throughout the past years. We will be screening our team members throughout the day for any symptoms. That being said, if any patients are experiencing a dry cough, fever greater than 100.4 or shortness of breath, please contact our office and we’ll gladly reschedule your appointment for a later date.

Since the 1^st day of my career we have been trained to deal w/HIV, Hepatitis, and other viruses.  The one thing I do know that delaying any routine or needed dental care can lead to more extensive and expensive dental care in the future, issues that can extend long after the impact of the threat of this virus. We will always follow the suggested advise of the CDC and State of Michigan.

Some of you may still have questions, therefore I am posting my personal cell number 586-405-6214, to answer any afterhours questions or concerns that you may have. Feel free to call or text. Most importantly, I want you to know that we are taking this threat very seriously, just as we have with past threats that have received more or less attention. Please let me know if there is anything that I can do to alleviate your concerns.

                                                                                                           

We at Cambridge Dentistry take your health very seriously. That is why we continue to monitor the situation regarding the COVID-19 virus. In order to ensure the safety of our patients and dental team members, we continue to closely monitor developments with the U.S. Center for Disease Control hourly and will communicate with you as necessary.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joseph Ruggirello

Cambridge Dentistry

Do At Home Do-It-Yourself Clear Aligner Work?

So you are considering straightening your teeth and have seen the ads for all the at home do-it-yourself clear aligner kits. How do they work? Will they straighten your teeth? Or are you just wasting your time and money? First I would like to discuss if clear aligners work over traditional braces. That answer would be a yes, clear aligners do work very well in straightening your teeth. They are typically recommended to treat mild to moderate cases of malocclusion and can treat problems such as crowded teeth, overbites, under bites or gaps. But there are some cases that clear aligners are not a good alternative for some people who have very complex orthodontic treatment or cases that require significant movement of teeth and require traditional braces. 

Now how do clear aligners work, well first I start out with some preliminary photos and impressions in order to properly diagnose and treat each case for Invisalign and Invisalign Go. Then those photos and models are used to create a series of trays that gradually shift your teeth into place. Each tray is manufactured so that the teeth are slightly straighter than the previous tray. Your teeth will typically move up to 0.25 mm per tray. With at-home-kits the consumer is responsible for taking their own impressions and photos then sending them back to the company.  I can tell you with the do-it-yourself mold taking it is NOT as easy as it sounds and do expect several re-do's, ill-fitting impression trays and of course subsequently ill-fitting clear aligners. Remember if the impressions are not done correctly or right then your clear aligners will not fit correctly and therefore your teeth with not be moved and straightened correctly. When done in a dental office you also have a dental professional closely monitoring the case so that the teeth are moving and shifting correctly. And if they are not,  I as your dental professional can make any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan on your case. Whereas with the at home do-it-yourself kits you there is no guarantee the case will be viewed by an orthodontist or a general dentist.

 So remember when you eliminate the doctor from the treatment planning and actual treatment process, you are essentially eliminating many of the safeguards that ensure you are properly treated. As a doctor I swear to a "do no harm" oath whereas the CEOs to these at home do-it yourself aligners do not. Also, most orthodontists including myself offer free consultations, if you are considering orthodontic treatment. So it is worth your time to be diagnosed by a professional and have all options presented to you, so that you can make a wise decision to get that amazing smile you always dreamed of.

Sources: https://www.invisalign.com/

Considering Dental Implants?

So you are interested in a dental implant, but still not 100% sure if this treatment is the right treatment for you. Do not feel alone, I have seen many patients ask me about dental implants and not sure if the treatment is the right treatment for them. So let me first take a few minutes to explain what a dental implant is. It easier to think of a dental implant as an artificial tooth with its own unique root that is similar in shape as a screw. When the dental implant is surgically placed in your jaw bone it bonds or integrates with your natural bone. Over time the implant becomes more stable and sturdy enough to support one, or in some cases more than one artificial teeth. These natural looking artificial teeth are called crowns.

So let me break down the whole procedure so that you can understand the process a little better.  When considering a dental implant is usually to replace one or more missing teeth. The bad tooth has either been removed by an extraction or you are considering having a bad tooth removed. If the implant is to replace a tooth that has already been previously removed, I will check the bone is the area of the extraction site to check the bone density for proper implant placement. In some cases I may need to do a procedure called bone grafting in order for proper implant placement. After I have done an implant workup, I will schedule a time for you to have the implant placement surgery done. This surgery is a simple in office procedure where the screw like implant is placed into the jaw bone. This procedure take no more than an hour,  I will make sure you are comfortable during the procedure and most patients have very little discomfort after the procedure is done.

After the implant is placed there will be a time for healing and implant integration, this can take up to 6 months depending on the individual. After the healing process has passed I will have you come in to start the next process which is the abutment or connector. This is the part that your new tooth or teeth will connect to. The abutment is the part that connect to your implant to hold and support your custom made crown or crowns. Your new crown will be made to match your natural teeth and are custom made for you.

Dental Implants have been around and successfully used for 30 plus years and are considered to be the best choice for teeth replacement. They allow you to have a tooth or teeth replacement that look and function like your natural teeth.

Sources: https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/what-are-dental-implants/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97wGRcShzu8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIoFjw1qUuE

Lets Discuss Energy Drinks and Tooth Decay!

This has been an ongoing issue and discussion for several years now. Energy and sports drinks can damage tooth enamel, boosting the risk of cavities, according to several studies.The biggest misconception is that energy drinks and sports drinks are healthier than soda for your overall health. Not only are studies finding that they are unhealthy and cause many medical issues, we are seeing more decay with patients who consistently drink these types of drinks. The truth is these types of drinks erode or thin out the enamel of the teeth, leaving them more susceptible to decay and sensitivity. And in recent studies when they have tested sports drinks and energy drinks for the effects of acidity on tooth enamel they found both types caused damage. Energy drinks, however, were twice as bad as regular sport drinks and once the tooth enamel is damaged it cannot be fixed. Among the energy drinks with the highest acidity, Gatorade Blue had the highest acidity followed by Red Bull Sugarfree, Monster Assault, 5-Hour Energy, Von Dutch and Rockstar. 

These drinks are more and more popular among teens and young adults. Up to half of the U.S. population of teens and young adults drink energy drinks, with more than half having at least one sports drink a day. The common draw to these types of drinks of course is the immediate energy boost, which for many young adults who are away at college tend to say they need. And brushing your teeth after drinking anything acidic is the worst thing you could do. The weakened enamel stands a greater chance of even more destruction. So whats the answer? Well, simply reduce the frequent consumption and the quantity of acidic beverages. Consider drinking these beverages with a straw, to prevent the liquid from touching the teeth surfaces may help. the better alternative is to substitute power drinks with healthier alternatives such as green juices, smoothies, protein shakes, green tea or water. And if you still feel the need to drink a more acidic drink, try to drink them at the end of a meal, as your saliva will restore the natural balance in the mouth and remineralize enamel.

Sources: Delta Dental of Arizona & Dr. Todd Mabry for YouTube content

Philips Zoom Whitening!!

Philips® Zoom! White Speed (Laser Teeth Whitening)

ABOUT ZOOM! WHITENING
Years of enjoying coffee, tea, red wine, berries, soft drinks, and tobacco can stain and discolor the dental enamel until the teeth begin to look dull, dark, and yellow. For the fastest way to whiter teeth, our office offers laser teeth whitening with Philips Zoom! chair side teeth whitening. Seen on several TV makeover shows, Philips Zoom! Whitening can whiten teeth as much as eight shades in less than a few hours. Zoom! Whitening is a safe and effective solution that can be customized for each patient based on their goals, concerns, and needs without the typical tooth sensitivity caused by whitening treatments. Philips Zoom! Whitening is the #1 professional whitening system for patients.

WHAT TO EXPECT
Before the Zoom! whitening treatment is started your dental professional will clean and dry the teeth for the best results. While no sedation is needed, your dental professional will apply a protective barrier over the gums and safety glasses over the patient’s eyes. Once the teeth and gums are ready, your dental professional will apply the Philips Zoom! whitening gel with pH booster and then activate the gel with the Philips Zoom! Whitening blue LED light. The light can be adjusted to different intensity settings for the patient’s goals. Phillips Zoom! whitening will take a few hours when scheduled.

TREATMENT AFTERCARE
After the Zoom! Whitening service, your dental professional will give you instructions on what to expect after the treatment and tips on maintaining your new, bright smile, including what to avoid eating and drinking. Some patients may not need another treatment for years, but this varies based on the patient’s habits and lifestyle. Patients may purchase a Philips aftercare and maintenance kit that will include a topical gel for sensitivity and home whitening treatments for touch-ups. However, 90% of patients do not have any sensitivity after their appointment.

INSURANCE COVERAGE
Since Zoom! laser teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, it is generally not covered by dental insurance, but our office accepts many payment forms and we offer financing plans thru Care Credit to make Zoom! treatments affordable. Payment and financing methods can be discussed with our front office staff during the patient’s consultation.

ZAP STAINS AWAY
You may be surprised how yellow your dental enamel is from enjoying certain beverages and food. If you are near our office, schedule an appointment with your dentist to hear more about Philips Zoom! Whitening. Once your teeth are bright and white again, you may be surprised how much younger you look.a

*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.

February is National Children's Dental Health Month

Children's teeth are meant to last a lifetime, and a healthy smile is important to a child's self-esteem. With proper care, a balanced diet and regular dental visits, their teeth can remain healthy and strong.

Cambridge Dentistry would like to remind parents that their children can avoid cavities. Making sure that they are brushing their teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, cleaning between their teeth daily by flossing, and eating a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks will help in their overall dental health. You will also want to make sure they are seeing their dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease which is key to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. At their dental visits we can discuss ways to prevent early childhood caries, when to expect changes from primary to permanent teeth, go over proper brushing and flossing techniques. My staff can also discuss thumb sucking issues, dental sealants, choosing the right mouth protector for active children in sports, and teaching your adolescents to say no to tobacco, as well as learning the importance of regular dental examinations.

Make sure to have your child on a regular dental maintenance schedule every 6 months to keep their teeth and gums healthy. If you need assistance with scheduling their regular cleaning or maintenance appointments, please feel free to contact my front office staff at Cambridge Dentistry as they would be happy to help you.

Cambridge Dentistry, 17016 25 Mile Rd, Macomb Twp, Michigan 48042 (586)677-7944
Download the FREE Dental Health month coloring page below!!

https://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Public%20Programs/Files/NCDHM%202019/2019NCDHM-Coloring-English.pdf?la=en

Sources: American Dental Association for Blog content, YouTube video

So you need a Root Canal......

                                         
If so....... well, you're not alone. Millions of teeth are treated and saved each year with root canal therapy or what is referred to as endodontic treatment. This explains what a root canal treatment is in detail and how it can relieve your tooth pain and save your smile. 

I will try to explain why a root canal is necessary for your tooth and what the signs are for you to look for. A tooth that you are experiencing pain, prolonged sensitivity to heat or cold, tenderness to touch or chewing, discoloration of the tooth, swelling, drainage and/or tenderness in the lymph nodes as well as nearby bone and gum tissues needs a root canal. Endodontic treatment is necessary when the pulp, the soft tissue inside the root canal, becomes inflamed or infected. The inflammation or infection can have a variety of causes: deep decay repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack or chip in the tooth. In addition, an injury to a tooth may cause pulp damage even if the tooth has no visible chips or cracks. If pulp inflammation or infection is left untreated, it can cause pain or lead to an abscess.  Now that is not to say that sometimes, however, you may have a tooth where there are no symptoms.  This may indicate that the nerve in the tooth is already dead and an infection has not have set in yet.

What I do is remove the inflamed or infected pulp, carefully clean and shape the inside of the root canal, then fill and seal the space. Afterward, you will return to my office at a later date have a post/core placed followed by a crown. After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.